General Cook

City: Merritt
Program and Site Location: Juniper House
Reports To: Head Cook
Term: Part-Time Saturday through Sunday
Hours: to be determined with 1/2 unpaid break
Wage Range: $25.91 up to $29.75 based on education and related experience.

What We Offer:

· Competitive benefits including but not limited to dental, vision, physiotherapy, massage, and fertility upon eligibility

· Municipal Pension Plan upon eligibility

· On-site training and development opportunities such as Violence Prevention, Cultural Awareness and 2SLGBTQ+ training

· A culture of equality, inclusion, and diversity including paid cultural sensitivity days

· Accidental death insurance and Wellness plan benefit

· Vacation entitlements for Part-Time and Full-Time employees

Position Summary: As a General Cook, you will work alongside the Head Cook of Juniper House which is stable housing with a support facility helping the marginalized community at an excellent level while maintaining and abiding by all standards, policies, and/or procedures set forth by the ASK Wellness Society and any applicable government agencies. In partnership with the Head Cook manage daily kitchen activities, aiding with menu preparation, ensuring food quality and freshness, and monitoring ordering and stocking. Service delivery is based on a client-centered, non-judgmental perspective.

Typical Duties Include:

- Prepare and cook large quantities of food maximum 52 meals per day.

- Assist with meal prep and service and lead kitchen services in Head Chef's absence.

- Provide guidance to Tenant Support Workers with respect to food preparation, service, and cleaning.

- Assist with organizing kitchen stock and ingredients.

- Ensures a first-in, first-out food rotation system and verifies all food products are properly dated and organized for quality assurance.

- Keep cooking stations stocked, especially before and during prime operation hours.

- Assist with the hiring and training of new employees to kitchen standards.

- Assist the Head Chef with managing food and product ordering by keeping detailed records and minimizing waste, plus works with existing systems to improve waste reduction and manage budgetary concerns.

- Work with Head Chef to maintain kitchen organization, staff ability, and training opportunities.

- Verify food storage units all meet standards and are consistently well-managed.

- Assist the Head Chef with menu creation.

- Evaluate food products to ensure that quality standards are consistently attained.

- Regularly monitor and inspect kitchen equipment, report any problems or inconsistencies to the Head Chef, and make recommendations for repair or procurement.

- Ensure high standards of hygiene, cleanliness, and safety are maintained throughout all kitchen areas at all times.

- Be prepared to work calmly and together with your team, paramedics, and police in crisis situations.

- Ensure compliance with all Society standards, policies, and procedures.

- When requested, assist Head Cook with reviewing invoices from suppliers for accuracy and updating computer files related to food service annually and as needed (food inventories, signage and labels, recipe books);

- When requested, be a member of the Performance and Quality Improvement team.

- Other duties which may or may not be listed within this job description.

Qualifications and Requirements

- Minimum of two years prep/cooking experience an asset.
- Formal culinary training is considered an asset.
- Advanced knowledge of food hygiene and safe kitchen practices including the use of commercial equipment and tools.
- Knowledge of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) an asset.
- Understands and maintains professional boundaries.
- Must pass an acceptable criminal record check for the vulnerable sector.
- Occupational First Aid Level 1, Food Safe Level 1 and WHMIS required.
- Readiness to complete in-house online training within the first month of employment.
- Mental Health First Aid, ASIST, and Trauma Informed Practice an asset.
- As Program Participants are allowed to have pets, it is noted that this is a pet friendly environment.

The ASK Wellness Society is dedicated to promoting diversity/multiculturalism with inclusion as one of our Core Values. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age.

You must already hold an open work permit, a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), permanent residency, or Canadian citizenship. ASK Wellness Society will not apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or sponsor a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-based work permit.